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| Former president Noynoy Aquino and Senator Bong Revilla |
Former President
Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III is very much confused and cannot understand
what happened to the Sandiganbayan decision which involves former senator Ramon
“Bong” Revilla being acquitted of his plunder case.
"I am sure that
if one were to study the decision once released, one would be confused and
bewildered instead of enlightened," said the former president.
Happy on Napoles conviction
"I am glad it
is not my job to explain the unexplainable," Aquino added.
The former chief
executive is also glad and happy in the same decision that senator Revilla’s
co-accused pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and Revilla's
former legislative aide Richard Cambe have been found guilty. Both of them have
been sentenced to be imprisoned as provided by the length of reclusion
perpetua.
"That fact
proves a crime was committed," Aquino said
It should be
remembered that all the transactions involving one of the biggest scam- the
multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) happened or
transpired under the “Daang Matuwid” of Aquino administration.
It was during Aquino’s
term that former senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Jinggoy
Estrada were charged of plunder and graft and was ordered to be arrested and
was eventually detained in the Philippine National Police Detention Center in
Camp Crame in Quezon City.
In 2015, the
Sandiganbayan in a landmark decision allowed former Senate President Enrile to
post a P1.45-million bail due to his advanced age and frail/sickly condition.
In 2017, Estrada was
given temporary liberty by the Sandiganbayan as well after posting P1-million
bail.*
Revilla has
repeatedly denied accusations that he misused his congressional allocation.
"I never
received money from Janet Lim Napoles at sa mga kasamahan niya (and her
colleagues),” Revilla said during one of the hearings of his plunder case.
He also said that he
never gave Cambe, his former legislative officer, the authority to deal with
Napoles on his behalf.
Revilla allegedly
made profits from the diversion of his discretionary funds through Cambe who
supposedly transacted with Napoles, according to government prosecutors.
Meanwhile, allegations
have been swirling around that it was the brainchild of the Liberal Party headed
by Aquino, senator Drilon, and former Department of Budget (DBM) Secretary
Butch Abad are the real mastermind of the diversion of the legitimate
government funds to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which
are if to believed, favored those who are party members of the past administration.
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| Co-accused of pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles / photo via UNTV |
Source: GMA News
